CITY OF SALISBURY, MARYLAND
#5 MEETING MARCH 14, 2005
PRESENT
Council President Michael P. Dunn Councilwoman Lynn B. Cathcart
Councilman Gary A. Comegys Councilwoman Lavonzella Siggers
Mayor Barrie P. Tilghman
ABSENT
Council Vice President Michael H. Day
IN ATTENDANCE
City Clerk Brenda Colegrove, CMC, City Administrator John Pick, ICMA-CM, City Solicitor Paul Wilber, Grants/Special Projects Director Loré Chambers, Public Works Director John Jacobs, Director of Procurement & Parking Carol Turner, CPPB, C.P.M., and interested Citizens and Members of the Press.
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CONVENING - ADOPTION OF AGENDA
The City Council and Mayor met in regular session at 6:00 p.m. in Council Chambers. Council President Dunn called the meeting to order. The Lord's Prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance were recited. Council President Dunn announced that Vice President Day’s mother, Laura Harrison Day, passed away this morning.
Mrs. Cathcart moved and Mr. Comegys seconded to approve the agenda as presented. Mr. Comegys moved to add the following items to the agenda:
• Resolution No. 1216 - transferring funds from the Contingency Fund to provide for a grant to Salisbury Neighborhood Housing Service to aid in the purchase of the house located at 311 Newton Street; and
• Resolution No. 1217 - encouraging and soliciting support from local legislators for the full funding of the local share of the Highway User Revenues.
Ms. Siggers seconded and the amendment passed unanimously. The agenda, as amended, was unanimously approved.
APPROVAL OF FEBRUARY 25, 2005 MINUTES
Upon a motion and a second by Mr. Comegys and Ms. Siggers, respectively, the February 28, 2005 minutes were unanimously approved.
APPROVAL OF MARCH 7, 2005 SPECIAL MEETING MINUTES
The Special Meeting minutes of March 7, 2005 were unanimously approved upon a motion by Ms. Siggers and seconded by Mrs. Cathcart.
DELEGATION FROM ESTONIA
The Council members and Mayor Tilghman commented on last week’s visit with the delegation from Tartu, Estonia.
AWARD OF BIDS
Ms. Siggers moved and Mrs. Cathcart seconded to approve the Award of Bids. The following item was presented for approval by Director of Procurement & Parking Carol Turner:
Heating System (86083-534302; unbudgeted . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$3,345.00
AET
The above item was unanimously approved.
ORDINANCE NO. 1930 - 2ND READING - ESTABLISHING A MORATORIUM ON DEVELOPMENT OF THE NORTH PRONG OF THE WICOMICO RIVER
Ms. Siggers moved and Mr. Comegys seconded to approve Ordinance No. 1930 for second reading. City Solicitor Paul Wilber provided an overview of the Ordinance which suspends the issuance of zoning certificates, building permits, approval of site plans, and new commercial/industrial uses in that portion of the Riverfront Redevelopment Multi-Use District and General Commercial District, bounded by Isabella Street, Mill Street, U.S. Route 50 and Lake Street, for a 60-day period to allow for study and revision of zoning provisions. Mr. Wilber suggested to insert the following language to page 2, 4th paragraph, second line (after approval of site plans):
“(excepting building permits and site plans for repair and maintenance of existing uses)”.
Mr. Comegys moved and Ms. Siggers seconded to amend Ordinance No. 1930 for second reading as proposed by Mr. Wilber. The amendment passed unanimously.
Several residents voiced their concern with the possibility of a car crushing/metal recycling plant in their neighborhood (i.e., eyesore, pollution to the river, decrease in property value). One neighborhood business owner supported the moratorium for a study period and the President of the Newtown Neighborhood Association suggested that a plan be devised that would work with the existing businesses in the area and one that would work for the future of Salisbury as a whole.
After further discussion, Ordinance No. 1930, as amended for second reading, passed unanimously.
ORDINANCE NO. 1931 - 1ST READING - ADOPTING SALARY REVIEW COMMITTEE’S RECOMMENDED SALARY INCREASES FOR THE MAYOR AND COUNCIL
Mr. Comegys moved and Mrs. Cathcart seconded to approve Ordinance No. 1931 for first reading. Mr. Neal White, Chairman of the Salary Review Committee, presented Ordinance No. 1931 recommending an annual salary of $25,000 for the Mayor. The salary increase for the Mayor would be implemented over a three-year period in $5,000 increments as follows:
• annual salary of $15,000 effective July 1, 2005;
• annual salary of $20,000 effective July 1, 2006;
• annual salary of $25,000 effective July 1, 2007.
An annual salary of $12,000 was recommended for the Council President effective July 1, 2007 and an annual salary of $10,000 for the other Council members effective July 1, 2007.
Highlights of concerns/issues from the public included:
• objected to increase;
• individual questioned why he wasn’t involved in the discussions;
• timing of report – should have been done earlier (February 1 submission of report coincided with filing deadline of candidates);
• Mayor’s salary already higher than four other municipalities comparable in size to Salisbury;
• Committee failed to look at the big picture – didn’t consider fringe benefits;
• put referendum question on the General Election Ballot, if possible.
After further discussion, Ms. Siggers moved to put a question on the General Election Ballot, if time permitted, to obtain the electorate’s opinion on salary increases for the Mayor and City Council. Mrs. Cathcart seconded the motion. The motion failed on a 1-3 vote (Ms. Siggers voted aye).
Ordinance No. 1931 for first reading was unanimously approved.
ORDINANCE NO. 1932 - 1ST READING - AMENDING CHAPTER 3.20 OF THE SALISBURY MUNICIPAL CODE ADDRESSING A HOMEOWNER CONVERSION TAX ABATEMENT PROGRAM
Mr. Comegys moved and Mrs. Cathcart seconded to approve Ordinance No. 1932 for first reading. City Solicitor Paul Wilber provided an overview of Ordinance No. 1932 amending Chapter 3.20, Homeowner Conversion Tax Abatement Program, of the Salisbury Municipal Code.
After a brief discussion, Ordinance No. 1932 for first reading passed on a 3-1 vote with Ms. Siggers voting nay.
PUBLIC HEARING - RESOLUTION NO. 1190 - SNOW HILL ROAD-CAUSEY AND CAREY ANNEXATION
Mr. Comegys moved and Ms. Siggers seconded to approve Resolution No. 1190. Public Works Director John Jacobs along with Mr. Phil Parker and Mr. Glenn Marvel, reviewed Resolution No. 1190 annexing 159.6 acres located on the northeasterly and southwesterly sides of Snow Hill Road. Development plans include a mixed residential, church complex and commercial buildings. Upon annexation, zoning classifications of R-8A Residential, General Commercial and Light Business and Institutional would be applied. A portion of Johnson Road will be required to be relocated so that it intersects Snow Hill Road opposite Robins Avenue. Subject to referendum, the annexation becomes effective April 28, 2005.
No public comments were received. Resolution No. 1190 was unanimously approved.
PUBLIC HEARING - RESOLUTION NO. 1191 - BROWN ROAD-RUARK PROPERTY ANNEXATION
Mr. Comegys moved and Mrs. Cathcart seconded to approve Resolution No. 1191. Public Works Director John Jacobs and Mr. Tom Ruark addressed Resolution No. 1191 annexing 168.4 acres located on the westerly side of Brown Road. Upon annexation, the property would be zoned R-10A Residential. Development plans include a 480-unit mixed use residential development. Subject to referendum, the annexation becomes effective April 28, 2005.
Mr. Bob Cannon, owner of 12 acres located west of Mr. Ruark’s property, requested that Mr. Ruark provide access to his property as a condition of annexation. The 12 acre parcel did not abut this property being annexed, but did abut the other property owned by Mr. Ruark which was previously annexed. City Solicitor Paul Wilber advised that this should not be part of this particular annexation request. Mr. Cannon’s request would be addressed when the site plan was brought through the system.
Mr. Comegys pointed out that the condition of E. Naylor Mill Road should be addressed as the project moves forward. An adjacent property owner, voiced concern with the traffic on Brown Road.
With no further discussion, Resolution No. 1191 was unanimously approved.
RESOLUTION NO. 1214 - AUTHORIZING A WAIVER OF WATER AND SEWER CAPACITY FEE FOR HICKORY LANE ONE PROJECT
Mrs. Cathcart moved and Mr. Comegys seconded to approve Resolution No. 1214. Public Works Director John Jacobs and Mr. Dick Bearman presented Resolution No. 1214 authorizing a waiver of the capacity fee ($96,000 - 20 Equivalent Dwelling Units) for the Go-Getters sponsored low income housing development known as Hickory Lane One.
Ms. Siggers acknowledged that she would recuse herself due to a family member being employed by Go-Getters. Resolution No. 1214 passed on a 3-0 vote.
RESOLUTION NO. 1215 - TRANSFERRING FUNDS FROM THE CONTINGENCY FUND FOR THE CHIPMAN CENTER ELEVATOR PROJECT
Mrs. Cathcart moved and Mr. Comegys seconded to approve Resolution No. 1215. Grants/
Special Projects Director Loré Chambers presented Resolution No. 1215 transferring $5,000 from the City’s Contingency Fund for the Chipman Center Elevator Project.
Resolution No. 1215 was unanimously approved.
RESOLUTION NO. 1216 - TRANSFERRING FUNDS FROM THE CONTINGENCY FUND FOR A GRANT TO SALISBURY NEIGHBORHOOD HOUSING SERVICE TO AID IN THE PURCHASE OF A HOUSE LOCATED AT 311 NEWTON STREET
Mrs. Cathcart moved and Mr. Comegys seconded to approve Resolution No. 1216. Mayor Tilghman and Salisbury Neighborhood Housing Service (SNHS) Director Cheryl Meadows introduced Resolution No. 1216. The Resolution transfers $3,800 from the City’s Contingency Fund to provide a grant to SNHS to aid in the purchase of the house located at 311 Newton Street. SNHS would purchase the property and put it back on the market for owner-occupied housing. The $3,800 would cover the taxes and the insurance.
Resolution No. 1216 passed unanimously.
RESOLUTION NO. 1217 - ENCOURAGING AND SOLICITING SUPPORT FROM LOCAL LEGISLATORS FOR FULL FUNDING OF LOCAL SHARE OF HIGHWAY USER REVENUES
Mrs. Cathcart moved and Ms. Siggers seconded to approve Resolution No. 1217. Councilman Comegys addressed Resolution No. 1217 which encourages and solicits support from our local legislators to fully fund the local share of the Highway user Revenues to local governments in the 2006 State of Maryland Budget.
Resolution No. 1217 was unanimously approved.
With no further business, the meeting adjourned at 7:40 p.m.
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City Clerk Council President